)
Though there was a steep fall in iron ore exports, Visakhapatnam port could register an increase in cargo handling by about half a million tonnes during the April-January period compared with the corresponding period last year owing to an abnormal hike in steam coal imports.
During last fiscal April-January period, the port handled 47.8 million tonne cargo, whereas this year, it increased to 48.3 mt. However, iron ore declined to 7.2 mt as compared with 10.2 mt last year.
Port sources said government policy and fall in intake from Chain were the main reasons for the decline in iron ore exports. The port lost over 3 million tonnes of ore this year compared with the 11-month period last year. Apart from iron ore, other cargos like coking coal, thermal coal, fertilisers and fertiliser raw materials and even container cargo saw a decline by 2 million tonnes.
However, steam coal compensated this. During last April-January period, the port imported only 2.6 mt tonne steam coal, which is used in power generation, whereas this year this increased to 8 mt. During 2013-14, the port handled 58.50 million tonne cargo. This year, it expects a marginal growth on the back of large steam coal imports.
